What the heck is going on eBay?

[ci1000]

What is eBay doing that would cause sales to drop for days on end with zero sales and then have a couple of days with excellent sales?  This is so bizarre!

I don't understand what's going on with all of these variations in sales.  Not just yearly but day to day.  It seems like the there is a tap that is on for a period of time and then it gets turned off.   Sales are up for a few days and then zero sales.  Is this just happening to me?

This is the worst Holiday season I have ever had on eBay and I would really like to know what the hel is going on..... Customer service asks me if maybe I'm not promoting enough......

[thenobletuckylife]

Evening,

Ah the illusion of "PROMOTING".

Based on many many posts this fall, sales are as unpredictable as ever despite throwing money and time at just about anything to get better sales.

Mr C

[castlemagicmemories]

OP, sorry that you are experiencing this and I certainly understand your frustration.

Hope your sales pick up soon.

[southern*sweet*tea]

My sales have been that way for fourteen years ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[thenobletuckylife]

Hi Southern,

I always figured ebay thought you to be SPECIAL!

Mr C

[papyruspapillo]

Thanks to the multitude of forum posters who have tried "promoted listings" and found the practice to be ineffective; you have saved me time and expense.

[southern*sweet*tea]

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@thenobletuckylife wrote:

Hi Southern,

I always figured ebay thought you to be SPECIAL!

Mr C

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The one thing I can always count on here when selling is absolute sales inconsistency. In that regard Ebay has been quite consistent.

[castlemagicmemories]

Kind of like the market.

Remember that old joke, what will the market do?

It will fluctuate!

[mr_lincoln]

@ci1000  It all depends on what one is selling and if anyone is buying those items, its not realistic to think every store has steady lines every day all year round ... retail does not work like that nor does online Selling regardless of the platform.  Not sure what you sell but I sincerely hope things turn around for you.

[nessas_nook]

It is not just happening to you. There is another thread where sellers have been talking about what you have been experiencing, and it's across the board with all sorts of different items and people who have been on eBay since the beginning (and they are unable to figure it out). There has been a lot of speculation but unfortunately no answers. One thing that has been mentioned many times it that switch that seems to be turned off and on. Wish I could be of better help. Hope your sales get better.

[geotouloupos]

Is not only you.. This is happening for some months now and is affecting volume sellers, part time sellers and in general all kind of sellers. And yes is true that it looks like there is some kind of ON-OFF switch. 

Many posts have been writen about this but there is no final conclusion since this has to do probably with an automated algorithm nobody knows.

I guess what will help all of us is ebay traffic to be increased in general. 

As ebay traffic drops those "dead sale" gaps seem to be increased. 

[1786davycrockett]

I've been noticing these odd "bumps" in sales, just about the same time that my eBay monthly fees are about to come due -- generally near the beginning of the month, and then again around the 15th, as if eBay wants to make sure that I have enough money in my account to pay my fees.

Anybody else have this experience?

[max39666]

Could well be the fact that a large number of buyers--really no way to know how many for sure?--have become feed up with the searches-sellers that cancel-out of stock excuses-money tied up waiting for a refund--all the Chinese junk--not getting feedback-possibly being scammed--------no longer find this site fun to shop on.

No telling how many never make it to the comminuity to ask a question--one bad exprience--they are gone.

Many reasons that could be why sales are slow for some sellers--the above i think should be factored in--as to what %--no way to really tell.

Hopefully sellers will see kind of traffic soon as many i know reslly need the funds --Good luck to all !!

[nawlinsron2]

Lots of posts mention "fluctuations" as an explanation.
If sales come to a dead stop when there's a long standing steady pattern...as many have reported...that's not a fluctuation.
That's an interruption, which statistically shouldn't happen.

[the_fancy_fox]

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@1786davycrockett wrote:

I've been noticing these odd "bumps" in sales, just about the same time that my eBay monthly fees are about to come due -- generally near the beginning of the month, and then again around the 15th, as if eBay wants to make sure that I have enough money in my account to pay my fees.

Anybody else have this experience?

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Yep. Every month.